Family caregivers often have to-do lists that feel like they’re a mile long. You could likely talk for hours about all the things you have to do, but it’s good to remember there are some things you should also avoid doing. These six things are all easy mistakes to make as a caregiver, and avoiding them can help you continue to enjoy your special role.
1. Refuse Offers for Help
Sometimes it may just seem easier to do things yourself. After all, you likely try to keep things running on a smooth schedule, and people who are unfamiliar with your routine may mess things up. If someone offers help, have some clear instructions available for things that person can do. Even something as simple as letting someone else handle washing the dishes could give you a major sense of relief.
In Clearwater, at-home care agencies can be a great boon to seniors. With the help of the caregivers at Home Care Assistance, your aging loved one can lead a happier and healthier life. We offer a revolutionary program called the Balanced Care Method, which encourages seniors to eat nutritious foods, exercise and socialize regularly, and focus on other lifestyle factors that increase life expectancy.
2. Skip Medical Appointments
After accompanying your loved one to so many appointments, the last thing you might feel like doing is sitting in another waiting room. Your physical and mental health are also important. Make sure to keep up with regular checkups and treatments along the way so you feel up to the challenges of caregiving.
3. Put Yourself in Harm’s Way
Your loved one may fall and need your help getting back up. He or she may also rely on you at some point to help him or her move from one place to another. Lifting your parent the wrong way could cause you to injure your legs, neck, or back. If you know your loved one will need help being transported from the bed to other locations, make sure someone is there to help you.
4. Rely Solely on Other Family Members
Your family is one of the best resources you have for helping with your loved one’s care. However, there may be times when you all have conflicting schedules, and you don’t need to ruin your family relationships with arguments. Plan to have a backup source available for those times when everyone has somewhere to be at the same time. Being able to call a professional caregiver relieves everyone of the stress of having to agree on whose turn it is to step in.
Caring for a senior loved one can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in home care, but this challenge doesn’t have to be faced alone. Family caregivers can turn to Home Care Assistance for the help they need. We provide high-quality live-in and respite care as well as comprehensive Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care.
5. Leave a Vulnerable Senior Alone
Seniors often seem far more capable of staying alone than they actually are. Don’t wait for your loved one’s first time wandering off if he or she has dementia. Instead, be proactive by planning for his or her care when you know you have to be away. Keeping your loved one supervised prevents accidents that could make you feel guilty for leaving him or her alone for any length of time.
6. Give Up on Having a Social Life
You may be a caregiver who balances other roles, often leaving very little room for anything else. Your social life is worth saving, since being around your friends and other family members helps you maintain positive mental health. Arrange to take regular respite breaks that allow you to attend celebrations, lunches, and other events that keep you connected to your support system.
Whether you need respite from your caregiving duties or your aging loved one needs 24-hour care, Clearwater, FL, Home Care Assistance can meet your family’s care needs. Our dedicated caregivers are available around the clock to provide transportation to doctor’s appointments, ensure seniors take their prescribed medications, and help with a variety of tasks in and outside the home. If your loved one needs assistance with the challenges of aging, reach out to one of our knowledgeable, compassionate Care Managers today at (727) 330-7862.